Adaptor for converting bulk solids container for fluid storage/transportation

ABSTRACT

A bladder stowage and deployment apparatus particularly for an open topped body used for transport of goods supported from an upper region of said body, to allow fluids to be stored within the bladder while avoiding cross-contamination with the body, the bladder stowage and deployment apparatus having a base member supporting a bladder within the body, the base member movable between and upward stowed position in which the bladder is stowed above and the body can be used for stowage of goods, and a downward deployed position in which the bladder fills available space within the body and holds fluid, and wherein the bladder stowage and deployment apparatus has features to avoid abrading of the bladder such as arrangements to draw in the sides of the bladder.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the transport and storage of bulkgoods, and in particular an apparatus and method for maximising thepotential usage of bulk goods transport vehicles and storage facilities.

BACKGROUND ART

Goods transport vehicles for road and rail use are usually purpose builtwith a particular application in mind. Consequently there are many typesof vehicle body employed for road and rail transport usage. In the caseof railway wagons/cars, these vehicle bodies include gondolas and hoppercars for the transport of bulk solid goods such as coal, ores, andgrain, box cars for the transport of manually handled bulk goods andrefrigerated goods, tankers for transport of fluids, and flat cars fortransport of container traffic and other items. There are also manyother types of specially designed railway wagons.

Railways are often used for the transport of bulk solid goods such asores and grains, in trains made up of many identical hopper wagons. Inthe case of ore transport, the ore is often transported in this mannerfrom the mine site or a central stock pile from a number of mine sites,to a refinery or port for processing or shipping, respectively. Thetrain then returns with empty hopper wagons, to be refilled and repeatthe journey.

There is often a need for the transport of liquid goods such as fuel andthe like to such a mine site. If these liquid goods are transported byrail, this can be accomplished by coupling the appropriate tanker wagonsto the train, and transporting the liquid goods along with empty hopperwagons. Similarly, bulk solid goods such as ores are transported outfrom a mine to a port or processing plant by road in open bodied truckswhich then return empty to the mine, and tanker trucks bring liquidgoods such as fuels to the mine and return empty therefrom.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

This invention has been conceived to enable dual usage of bulk solidgoods transport vehicles or storage containers. In the case of bulksolid goods vehicles, the invention allows simple and rapid conversionof a vehicle between being able to transport bulk solids, and being ableto transport fluids; while avoiding any problems of cross-contaminationbetween the solid and fluid goods. With such an arrangement the samevehicle can transport solid goods in one trip, and be readily convertedto transport liquid goods for the next trip. In the case of roadtransport, this invention offers the possibility of cutting down thenumber of goods transport trucks required by up to one half, which couldrepresent a considerable cost saving to transport operators and theircustomers alike. In the case of rail transport, the invention can alsooffer a saving, if not to the same extent in fuel usage as by road, atleast by cutting down on the number of vehicles required for transportpurposes.

The invention may have application in bulk liquid storage and transportcontainers, to allow transport and storage of more than one type offluid, without the need for cleaning, and while avoiding crosscontamination. The invention will also have application in bulk solidsstorage containers, for example in silos used on farms.

The invention resides in a bladder stowage and deployment apparatus fora body used for the stowing storage or transport of goods.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, theword “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, willbe understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group ofintegers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group ofintegers.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided, in abody used for the stowing, storage, or transport of goods, the bodyhaving a base bounded by side(s); a bladder stowage and deploymentapparatus supported from an upper region of said body, said bladderstowage and deployment apparatus having a base member adapted to supporta bladder within said body, said base member being movable between anupward stowed position in which said bladder is stowed above said bodyand said body can be used for stowage of goods, and a downward deployedposition in which said bladder may substantially fill available spacewithin said body and be used for holding fluid; wherein said base memberhas dimensions which conform substantially to the internal shape of thebody proximal to said base, and wherein said bladder stowage anddeployment apparatus includes means to avoid abrading of said bladderagainst the side(s) of said body.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided anadaptor to allow a body used for the stowing, storage, or transport ofgoods, to hold bulk fluid without cross contamination, the body having abase bounded by side(s), said adaptor comprising a bladder stowage anddeployment apparatus supported from an upper region of said body, saidbladder stowage and deployment apparatus having a base member adapted tosupport a bladder within said body, said base member being movablebetween an upward stowed position in which said bladder is stowed aboveor in an upper region of said body and said body can be used for stowageof goods, and a downward deployed position in which said bladder maysubstantially fill available space within said body and be used forholding fluid; wherein said base member has dimensions which conformsubstantially to the internal shape of the body proximal to said baseand wherein, said bladder stowage and deployment apparatus includes ananti-abrasion device or means to avoid abrading of said bladder againstthe side(s) of said body.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided anadaptor to allow an open topped body used for the transport of bulksolid goods, to hold bulk fluid without cross contamination, the bodyhaving a base bounded by side(s), said adaptor comprising a bladderstowage and deployment apparatus supported from an upper region of saidbody, said bladder stowage and deployment apparatus having a base memberadapted to support a bladder within said body, said base member beingmovable between an upward stowed position in which said bladder isstowed above or in an upper region of said body and said body can beused for stowage of goods, and a downward deployed position in whichsaid bladder may substantially fill available space within said body andbe used for holding fluid; wherein said base member has dimensions whichconform substantially to the internal shape of the body proximal to saidbase, and wherein said bladder stowage and deployment apparatus includesan anti-abrasion device or means to avoid abrading of said bladderagainst the side(s) of said body.

It will be appreciated that the term “side(s)” encompasses a cylindricalbody having a side wall of circular cross-section, or a square,rectangular, or other polygonal body having a plurality of walls.

The inclusion of the anti-abrasive device avoids the sides of thebladder becoming caught between the base member and the body, and avoidsthe sides of the bladder being excessively subjected to abrading contactagainst side(s) of the body and consequently being damaged. In preferredarrangements, said means to avoid abrading also assists in aligning thebladder relative to structural members of said apparatus, which avoidsabrading of said bladder in the region of filling and emptyingconnectors.

Preferably said bladder is secured to said base member, at least towardany connector for emptying, and preferably around or near the peripheryof the base member. Securing the bladder to the base member assists inaligning the bladder relative to structural members of said apparatus,which avoids abrading of said bladder in the region of filling andemptying connectors.

In accordance with a preferred feature of any of the preceding aspectsof the invention, where the body is an open-topped body (such as agondola or a hopper used for railway transport), said bladder stowageand deployment apparatus includes a cover assembly fabricated to fit asa lid for the body, said base member and said bladder being supportedfrom said cover assembly.

Preferably said anti-abrasion device of said bladder includes acontraction device to urge side wall(s) of said bladder inwardly. Thecontraction device operates to draw the side walls of the bladder in,when the base member is moved between the upward stowed position and thedownward deployed position, or when the bladder is in the downwarddeployed position and being emptied.

Alternatively or additionally, preferably said anti-abrasion deviceincludes upward extending side walls extending from the periphery ofsaid base member.

Furthermore, and preferably, said anti-abrasion device of said bladderincludes a connector to fix said bladder at or near the periphery ofsaid base member.

Preferably said a connector includes a peripheral skirt or peripheralstraps extending at least intermittently from said bladder and attachedto said base member. Thus the peripheral skirt may be formed from atleast three or four narrow straps arranged to secure the bladder to saidbase member.

In a further alternative or addition arrangement, preferably saidanti-abrasion device includes a friction bearing strip arranged aroundthe periphery of said base member. In this arrangement, preferably saidfriction bearing strip forms part of said means to secure said bladderto said base member, sandwiching and securing said peripheral skirt orperipheral straps to said base member.

Furthermore, and preferably, said anti-abrasion device of said bladderincludes another connector to fix said bladder at or near the peripheryof the top of said body, or at or near the periphery of said cover.

Preferably said attaching means includes a second peripheral skirt or aplurality of peripheral straps extending at least intermittently fromsaid bladder and attached to the top of said body or to said cover. Thusthe second peripheral skirt may be formed from at least three or fourstrap loops arranged to secure the bladder to said base member.

In addition to the peripheral strap loops, there are included furtherstrap loops arranged on top of said bladder to avoid the top of saidbladder from excessively collapsing downwardly.

The most preferred arrangement of the connectors is where straps orperipheral skirts secure the bladder at its base to the base member, andat its top to the top of the body or cover. In this manner, when thebase member is moved from the upward stowed position to the downwarddeployed position, with the means to urge side wall(s) guiding inwardmovement of the side walls, the top and bottom of the bladder aremaintained in relative spatial alignment, preventing damage which mightotherwise occur if the disposition of the bladder is left to chanceduring this movement.

Preferably said bladder stowage and deployment apparatus includes hoistmeans to raise and lower said base member.

The base member has a shape which conforms to the internal shape of thebody, in order to maximise the available space for storage of fluid inthe bladder.

Preferably, the base member has a generally flat base to simplifyconstruction of the bladder.

Preferably said base member includes an aperture therethrough forreceiving a drain connection of said bladder.

Preferably said base member is configured (relative to the configurationof said body) to allow a space underneath for the access to said drainconnection of the bladder. The filling connection for the bladder may beof conventional form for fluid storage and transport, and located on atop aspect of the bladder.

Preferably said contraction device includes a tensioner attached toopposing or adjacent positions along the side wall(s) on the inside ofsaid bladder to draw in the sides of said bladder (as consideredrelative to the top and bottom of the bladder) as said base member ismoved between said downward deployed position and said upward stowedposition, or as said bladder is emptied of fluid.

Preferably said a tensioner includes at least one tension coil spring.Other tensioning devices may be employed such as elastic strapping orother elastic material which is under tension when the bladder is filledor lowered.

Preferably where more than one tension spring is employed, the tensionsprings are preferably arranged alternately normal to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Two preferred embodiments of the invention, one being an adaptor toconvert for fluid transport an open top hopper railway wagon, and theother being a pair of adaptors to convert for fluid transport anopen-topped side tipping trailer for a prime mover, will now bedescribed in the following description, made with reference to thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan elevation from above of the adaptor according to thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a plan and partially segmented view from above of the adaptoraccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side elevation through the longitudinalextent of the adaptor (adjacent to post positions on the top of the bodyof the hopper wagon) according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional end elevation through the centre of theadaptor;

FIG. 5 is a sequence of views showing operational steps of the adaptorwhen fitted to the open top hopper railway wagon;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation showing details of the adaptor according tothe second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an end elevation of the adaptor according to the secondembodiment showing an aspect of operation;

FIG. 8 is a part cross-section view of part of the adaptor according tothe second embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a further part cross-section view of the part of the adaptorof FIG. 8 showing the base member between the upward stowed position andthe downward deployed position.

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The first embodiment is an adaptor to convert an open-top bulk-solidshopper railway wagon for fluid transport, and includes a cover 11incorporating a fluid storage bladder 13 for an open topped hopperrailway wagon (indicated generally in FIG. 5). The cover 11 isconfigured to fit and be secured to the upper rim of the body of thehopper wagon. The fluid storage bladder 13 is supported on a base member17 which has a flat bottom 19, and has sides 21 which extendsufficiently high to wholly contain the bladder 13 when it is empty. Thebase member 17 is of moulded reinforced fibreglass construction. Thebase member 17 includes an aperture 23 in its bottom 19 through which afluid drain 25 protrudes. The fluid drain in the embodiment comprises anM-TECT™ dry disconnect coupling, as commonly employed in fluid handling.

The cover 11 has a pair of transverse beams 27 which extend across ateither end of the cover 11. The transverse beams 27 are formed of250×250×5 RHS (all dimensions in mm), and are provided for forklifthandling, to enable ready fitting and removal of the adaptor to and fromthe body of the hopper wagon. The transverse beams include flared endportions 28 to assist in alignment of the forks of a forklift. A C-platepanel 29 provides a walkway along the longitudinal centre of the cover11. Panels 31 formed of 2 mm zinc plate steel complete the cover.

Structural support for the cover 11 is provided by 50×50×3 RHSlongitudinal support beams 33 and 50×25×3 RHS transverse support beams35 (all shown in dotted outline in FIG. 1), the support beams 33 and 35being located underneath the panels 29 and 31. Two 100×50×3 RHSlongitudinal support beams 37 extend along each side of the cover 11,under the panel 31. A circular aperture 39 is located in panel 29, andincludes an adaptor fitting 41 (shown in the cut-away part of thedrawing of the bladder in FIG. 2) for a VOH-200™ hatch 43, the fittingsof which communicate with the interior of the bladder 13, and are usedfor filling purging and venting purposes.

Hoist means is provided by two longitudinal rotary shafts 45 which aremounted to the support beams 35 (and 37) on bearing assemblies 47. Fourpulleys 49 are fixed to each shaft 45, mounted in spaced relation forload bearing purposes. Each pulley 49 includes 50 mm load strapping 51which extends through apertures in the panels 31 and is attached to thesides 21 of the base member 17. The load strapping 51 is a reinforcedpolyester webbing (Type 108) having a failure load of approximately 24kN.

A hand operated hoist 53 is mounted on one of the transverse beams 27,and connected to the adjacent longitudinal rotary shaft 45 by an endlesschain 55 (½″ BS Conlink Chain Drive). The rotary shafts 45 are joinedfor synchronised rotation by an endless chain 57 (also a ½″ BS ConlinkChain Drive).

The cover also includes a frame member 59 formed of pressed steel plate,which is shaped to fit over the lip of the body of a hopper wagon towhich the adaptor is intended to be fitted. The frame member 59 issupported from the transverse beams 27 and support beams 37 by eight100×10×3 RHS stub columns 61 which are covered in non structural zincplated steel sheet (not shown) to prevent the ingress of dust and anyincident foreign bodies. The frame member 59 has four apertures 63, (seeFIG. 2) through which posts 65 located on the top of the body of thehopper wagon may protrude. Referring to FIG. 3, the posts 65 includeapertures (shown in dotted outline) for receiving spring loaded pins 67,to secure the adaptor against unintended dislodging or removal. Thespring loaded pins 67 are connected via cables 69 to a handle 71 whichis pivotally mounted to one of the stub columns 61. Operation of thehandle can withdraw the pins 67 from the posts 65, allowing removal andreplacement of the adaptor from the body of the hopper wagon.

The bladder 13 should be formed of a plastic resistant to the fluidintended to be transported. In the case of the embodiment, the bladder13 is made of cloth reinforced “XR5 ELVALOY” ethylene interpolymer alloyP.V.C. plastic. The bladder 13 includes contraction means in the form oftwo internally mounted 30 mm diameter×2 mm (wire thickness) stainlesssteel tension springs 73 which are joined to the interior of the bladderby strapping welded thereto. The springs 73 are 900 mm in length and maybe stretched to 2,800 mm (the actual stretched length will be determinedby the normal operational size of the bladder, however care should betaken to ensure the springs are selected so that when under tensiontheir normal operational length is not exceeded). The springs 73 extendnormal to each other (when viewed from above), and are located in spacedrelation, as can be seen best in FIG. 5. The purpose of the springs 73is to collapse the bag, by drawing in the sides of the bladder as thehoist means raises the base member 17 to the upward stowed position.This prevents damage being caused to the bladder 13 by fouling againstthe body 15 of the hopper wagon or against parts of the adaptor itself.Placement of the springs normal to each other results in the bladderbeing folded inwardly in two different directions which are normal toeach other, assisting in compact stowage of the bladder in the storedposition.

Referring to FIG. 5, the adaptor is removed from the body 15 of thehopper wagon to allow the body 15 to be filled with bulk solids. Theadaptor is then fitted to the body 15 of the hopper wagon for transportof the bulk solids. At the destination, the bulk solids are emptied fromthe hopper wagon in the usual manner. The hoist means is operated tolower the base member and bladder to the deployed position, whereafterthe bladder 13 may be filled with fluid such as fuel. The hopper wagonthen transports the fuel in the return journey to the bulk-solidsloading point, at which point the load of fuel is emptied. The hoistmeans is operated to raise the base member and bladder to the stowedposition, whereafter the adaptor may be removed from the body of thehopper wagon for loading bulk solids, before the cycle is repeated.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, details of the second embodiment are shown,which is a pair of adaptors 75 and 77 of rectangular cuboidconfiguration, fitted in a side-tipping trailer 79 for haulage by aprime-mover (not shown). Like reference numerals in the secondembodiment denote like parts as described in the first embodiment.

As in the first embodiment, the fitting of the adaptors allows thetrailer body 79 to be converted from bulk solids transport (typicallyrun-of-mine ore in one envisaged application) to dual usage where bulksolids may be transported with the adaptors in a raised/upward stowageposition, and where liquids such as fuel, oil, or water may betransported with the adaptors in a lowered/downward deployed position.The adaptor 75 is shown in the raised/upward stowage position where bulksolids may be transported in the tipping tray 81, while the adaptor 77is shown in the lowered/downward deployed position where liquids (orindeed fluids generally) may be transported in the bladder 13 thereof.It should be noted that the adaptors 75 and 77 are both raised andlowered in unison, and are shown with one adaptor 75 raised and theother adaptor 77 lowered, for illustrative purposes, although there isno reason why, in an alternative embodiment, they could not be raisedand lowered independently. Tipping tray doors 82, securable to retainthe bladders within the tipping body 79, may be opened to allow emptyingof bulk solids in known manner.

The trailer body 79 has a central dividing bulkhead 80 and has twoapertures 83 in the base thereof with removable covers 85 to retain bulksolids in the trays 81 when the adaptors 75 77 are in the raised/upwardstowage position. The covers 85 are removed to gain access to the fluiddrain connections 25 of the bladders 13 when the adaptors 75 77 are inthe lowered/downward deployed position.

As in the first embodiment, the bladder 13 is supported on a base member17, construction details for a part of which are shown in FIG. 8. Thebase member 17 is formed of a core of a sheet of honeycomb reinforcingkevlar embedded in expanded PVC foam 87 or density between 60 kg/m³ and80 kg/m³ framed by a hardwood timber frame 89 which runs around theperiphery of the foam sheet 87, all of which is contained within a shell91 of fibreglass and resin construction. The density of the foam mayvary, depending upon the strength of the reinforcing material.

A device to urge the side walls of the bladder inwardly is formed by atensioner having anchor points mid way along the longitudinal sides ofthe bladders 13. The tensioner comprise four of the springs 73 asdescribed above in the first embodiment, which extend to the opposinglongitudinal side of the bladder 13, four of such springs being providedin parallel relationship, per bladder. The springs 73 are mounted ateach end to the anchor points via adjustable straps 93. The anchorpoints are each formed by a reinforced flexible polyvinyl chloride hose95 which is welded into a vertical loop 97 welded to the inside of thebladder 13. The reinforced flexible polyvinyl chloride hose 95 isaccessed by the adjustable straps 93 through a break 99 located alongthe vertical loop 97, mid way up the sides of the wall of the bladder.The vertical loops 97 are located in spaced apart relation along thelongitudinal sides of the bladder to provide a substantially even urgingforce along the entire longitudinal length of the bladder 13. The loops97 are formed of the same material as the bladder. While a tensioner ofa similar form but extending from opposing ends of the bladder wastrialed by the inventor, it was found to be unnecessary; however, insome arrangements, depending upon factors such as the type of bladdermaterial used, and the dimensions, it may prove necessary. Referring toFIGS. 8 and 9, the manner of operation of the tensioning means can beseen.

Additional anti-abrasion provisions to avoid abrading of the bladder 13are provided in the form of a peripheral outwardly extending skirt 101welded to the base of the bladder 13, and a “circumferential” downwardlyextending skirt 103 welded near the bottom of the sides of the bladder13. The skirts 101 and 103 are tensioned to hold the bladder 13 relativeto the base member 17, and secured thereto by being sandwiched by a highdensity polyethyene bumper strip 105. The bumper strip 105 is ofhalf-round cross-section, and secured by a number of spaced apart screws107. The bumper strip 105 forms a peripheral edge of the base member 17,and takes the impact of any contact against the inside of the trailer79. The skirts 101 and 103 are formed of the same material as thebladder. Securing the bottom of the bladder 13 relative to the basemember 17 results in correct registration of the fluid drain 25 with theaperture therefor in the base member 17, and prevents excessive flexingand abrading of the bladder 13 especially in proximity to the fitting41, which might result if the bladder was not restrained and could movearound when it is empty. The bumper strip 105 spaces the bladdermaterial in proximity to the base member 17 away from the inside of thetrailer, avoiding contact and abrading of the bladder 13 at this point.

The adaptors 75 also include covers 11 which are constructed in asimilar manner to the covers of the first embodiment, with the exceptionthat the transverse beams 27 thereof are not provided to allow theadaptors to be removed by forklift, four hoist lifting points 109 beingprovided instead for this purpose. The four hoist lifting points areprovided in roll-over combing elements 110 which are provided to preventdamage to the adapter fitting in the event of a vehicle roll-over. Theother exception in the cover of this embodiment when compared with thefirst embodiment is that the transverse beams 27 are of telescopingarrangement and include tracks 111 secured to the top of the trailer ateach end of each adaptor 75, and roller assemblies 113 to support thetransverse beams 27 and tracks 111 to allow the cover 11 to be slid openand closed; open to allow access to the trailer for filling with bulksolids, and closed for transportation. A spring loaded pin 115 at oneend of each the tracks 111 secures the transverse beams to retain thecover 11 closed. The spring-loaded pins 115 are operable in unison by acable and lever assembly 117.

The top of the bladder 13 has a plurality of loops 118 (one of which canbe seen in FIGS. 8 and 9) welded to the outside thereof, arranged infour substantially parallel longitudinal lines, extending along thelength of the top of the bladder 13. There are six such loops 118 ineach line, which receive four longitudinal aluminium tubes 119 (one perline), the tubes being secured to the underside of the cover, to supportthe top of the bladder 13 and prevent it collapsing downwardly. Two ofthese tubes are located one along each longitudinal edge of the top, andthe other two tubes being spaced evenly from the longitudinal edge ofthe top and each other. Four loops 121 are provided at each end near thetop of the bladder 13 to secure the ends of the bladder 13 againstinward collapse. Securing the top of the bladder relative to the coverresults in correct registration of the adaptor fitting 41 with theaperture therefor in the cover 11, and prevents excessive flexing andabrading of the bladder 13 in proximity to the fitting 41.

The combination of securing both the top and the bottom of the bladder13 as described, together with the action of the tensioner as the basemember is raised and lowered, ensures that movement of the bladder sidewalls is controlled, minimising the potential for damage by abrading orpinching.

The base member 17 is raised and lowered with 50 mm load strapping ofthe same type and arranged and driven in the same manner as in the firstembodiment, with the exception that there are four straps 51 along eachlongitudinal side of the base member 17 (as can be seen in FIG. 6). Eachstrap 51 is secured to the underside of the base member 17 by threescrews 123, reinforced by an aluminium plate 125, the screws 123, andaluminium plate 125 pinning the strap 61 to the underside of the basemember 17.

The manner in which the hoisting of the base member is effected to raiseand lower it is the same as in the first embodiment, except that due tothe load exerted on a hand operated hoist, it is replaced with ahydraulically operated hoist (not shown). Furthermore, clips or shacklescan be used to secure the base member to the cover, when in the stowedposition, to give added security by taking the load off the straps 51,while the trailer is being towed.

The cycle of operation of use of a bulk goods transport vehicle havingthe adaptor is the same as that described in the case of the firstembodiment with reference to FIG. 5, except to fill the trays 81 of thetrailer 79, with the base members 17 in the raised to the upward stowedposition, the spring-loaded pins are retracted and covers 11 are rolledalong tracks 111 exposing the trays 81 for filling with bulk solids.When the trays 81 are filled, the covers 11 are rolled back to close thetops of the trays, and the bulk solids are transported to their finaldestination. The covers also serve to obviate the necessity to usetarpaulins to prevent wind dispersal of the load. On arrival at thedestination, the load is emptied in the usual manner by side tipping.The base members 17 are then lowered to the deployed position, and thebladders filled with fluid for transport on the return journey. Onreaching the destination, the fluid is emptied, and the base members areraised to the stowed position, and the cycle can be repeated.

It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the actualembodiments described herein. Changes to certain details such asmechanical particulars of construction of the base member 17, and thecover 11, and other details to achieve the same benefits as discussed inthe embodiments, may be made, without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bladder stowage and deployment apparatus for abody used for stowage, storage, and transport of goods, to allow fluidsto be stored within the bladder while avoiding cross-contamination withthe body, the body having a base bounded by side(s), the bladder stowageand deployment apparatus being supported from an upper region of saidbody, said bladder stowage and deployment apparatus having a base memberadapted to support a bladder within said body, said base member beingmovable between an upward stowed position in which said bladder isstowed above said body and said body can be used for stowage of goods,and a downward deployed position in which said bladder may substantiallyfill available space within said body and be used for holding fluid;wherein said base member has dimensions which conform substantially tothe internal shape of the body proximal to said base, and wherein saidbladder stowage and deployment apparatus includes an anti-abrasiondevice means to avoid abrading of said bladder against the side(s) ofsaid body in the form of a contraction device attached to sides of saidbladder to draw in sides of said bladder as said base member is movedtoward said upward stowed position.
 2. A bladder stowage and deploymentapparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bladder is secured to saidbase member, at least proximal to any connector for emptying.
 3. Abladder stowage and deployment apparatus as claimed claim 1 whereinwhere the body is an open-topped body, said bladder stowage anddeployment apparatus includes a cover assembly fabricated to fit as alid for the body, said base member and said bladder being supported fromsaid cover assembly.
 4. A bladder stowage and deployment apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said apparatus also includes upward extendingside walls extending from the periphery of said base member.
 5. Abladder stowage and deployment apparatus as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid apparatus also includes connector to fix said bladder at or nearthe periphery of said base member.
 6. A bladder stowage and deploymentapparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said connector includes aperipheral skirt or peripheral straps extending at least intermittentlyfrom said bladder and attached to said base member.
 7. A bladder stowageand deployment apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said apparatusalso includes a friction bearing strip arranged around the periphery ofsaid base member.
 8. A bladder stowage and deployment apparatus asclaimed in claim 7 wherein said friction bearing strip forms part ofsaid connector to secure said bladder to said base member, sandwichingand securing said peripheral skirt or peripheral straps to said basemember.
 9. A bladder stowage and deployment apparatus as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said apparatus also includes another connector to fixsaid bladder at or near the periphery of the top of said body, or at ornear the periphery of said cover.
 10. A bladder stowage and deploymentapparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said other connector includes asecond peripheral skirt or a plurality of peripheral straps extending atleast intermittently from said bladder and attached to the top of saidbody or to said cover.
 11. A bladder stowage and deployment apparatus asclaimed in claim 10 wherein there are included further strap loopsarranged on top of said bladder to secure said bladder and avoid the topof said bladder from collapsing downward excessively.
 12. A bladderstowage and deployment apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including hoistmeans to raise and lower said base member.
 13. A bladder stowage anddeployment apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base member hasa generally flat base.
 14. A bladder stowage and deployment apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said base member includes an aperturetherethrough for receiving a drain connection of said bladder.
 15. Abladder stowage and deployment apparatus as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid contraction device includes a tensioner attached to opposingpositions along the side wall(s) on the inside of said bladder to drawin the sides of said bladder as said base member is moved between saiddownward deployed position and said upward stowed position, or as saidbladder is emptied of fluid.
 16. A bladder stowage and deploymentapparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said tensioning means includesat least one tension coil spring.
 17. A bladder stowage and deploymentapparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said contraction device includesa tensioner attached to adjacent positions along the side wall(s) on theinside of said bladder to draw in the sides of said bladder as said basemember is moved between said downward deployed position and said upwardstowed position, or as said bladder is emptied of fluid.
 18. A bladderstowage and deployment apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein saidtensioner includes at least one tension coil spring.